Catholic Hospital acknowledges error

DENVER - A Catholic hospital acknowledges it was "morally wrong" to argue in court that a fetus is not a human being under Colorado law.

Attorneys representing St. Thomas More Hospital took that position in papers filed to fend off a wrongful death lawsuit brought after unborn twins died in its emergency room.

The position drew sharp criticism after the case was publicized last month.

Catholic Healthcare Initiatives operates the hospital and said Monday in a statement that its executives acknowledged it was wrong to argue that the fetus is not a person under Colorado law. That contradicts church teaching.

Colorado's Catholic bishops reviewed the case and also released a statement praising the hospital for acknowledging the error of its legal argument and extending sympathy to the family that lost the twins.